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StoryCorps: Recording The Lives And Stories Of Everyday Americans StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate the lives of everyday Americans by listening to their stories.
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StoryCorps

Sharing And Preserving The Stories Of Our Lives
A Baseball Fan Who Knows His Signs

Robert Panara, 89, talks with his friend Greg Livadas about baseball. StoryCorps hide caption

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A Baseball Fan Who Knows His Signs

Robert Panara's father thought he could shock his son into getting his hearing back by meeting Babe Ruth. It was a dream come true, but it didn't bring back his hearing. Years later, when Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson spoke to him in sign language, the lifelong baseball fan had a new idol.

A Baseball Fan Who Knows His Signs

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North Carolina Town's Longtime Barbershop Cutups

Lawrence Anthony and David Shirley have spent the past 40 years cutting hair together in a Drexel, N.C., barbershop. Together, the two share memories of their fading town and tapering careers.

North Carolina Town's Longtime Barbershop Cutups

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Fighting Racism Is A Family Tradition

At 36, Benjamin Todd Jealous is the youngest president in the history of the 100-year-old NAACP. But he has a legacy to live up to in his own family when it comes to battling racism in America.

Fighting Racism Is A Family Tradition

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The Trick To Teaching Is Sometimes Magic

Ricky Boone, who was born with a rare bone disorder, says he owes everything to his principal, who taught him magic tricks when he was a kid. Today, Boone is a professional magician who owns his own magic store.

The Trick To Teaching Is Sometimes Magic

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In Defense Of The Flag (Sewn For History Class)

Bob Heft, who sewed the 50-state flag as a high schooler, received a B- for his project. Heft's history teacher accused him of not knowing how many states were in the union at the time. The teacher changed the grade when the design was accepted by Congress.

In Defense Of The Flag (Sewn For History Class)

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To This Adoptive Dad, Every Day Is Father's Day

Single dad Brian Miller adopted Johnathan Emerson when he was 7. The young boy had been abused and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. It took some time for both father and son to adjust to their new reality, and now they can't imagine their lives any other way.

To This Adoptive Dad, Every Day Is Father's Day

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Keeping Cancer On The Ropes

Dottie Copeland found out she had cancer and decided to fight it — literally. She prepared for battle like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky. Ten years later, her cancer is still down for the count.

Keeping Cancer On The Ropes

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60 Years Of Marriage: Laughter Is Love

Six decades ago, she was the "funny-looking broad" he hired to work as a cashier. When Marcia and Seymour Gottlieb tell the story of how they met, it sounds like a beautifully crafted comedy routine.

60 Years Of Marriage: Laughter Is Love

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Memorial Day Miracle At 'The Wall'

After his son was killed in Iraq four years ago, Allen Hoe decided to spend Memorial Day at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was not expecting to meet the nurse who tried to save his son's life.

Memorial Day Miracle At 'The Wall'

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A Rock Thrower Appreciates His Fearless Brother

Robert Strozier tells a former student the tale of his fearless brother Frank, who came to his defense 70 years ago. "Frank was just a wonderful big brother," Strozier says.

A Rock Thrower Appreciates His Fearless Brother

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Not Just A 'Bio-Mom,' But A Mentor

Deborah Dimasi met her biological mother for the first time 12 years ago, almost three decades after she was placed for for adoption. Dimasi tells Sue Adam that when she describes their relationship, "I say that you're more like a mentor than a mother."

Not Just A 'Bio-Mom,' But A Mentor

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Opinion

A Toddler, An Open Window And An Amazing Catch

Marvin Goldstein was a toddler in 1945 when he fell out of a window five stories up in Brooklyn, N.Y. Fortunately for him, Sal Mauriello was there. Goldstein tells the story of Mauriello's great catch — and their reunion years later — to his son, Eric.

A Toddler, An Open Window And An Amazing Catch

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